3 Must-See Western Art Shows Opening in March

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Learn about three incredible western art shows opening in Arizona, Montana, and Texas this month >>>

March–June 2022
Charles M. Russell Small Works
C.M. Russell Museum*
Great Falls, MT

Western art - paintings of Native Americans
Kwani Povi Winder (b. 1989), “Enlightened,” 2021, oil and metal leaf on linen board, 28 x 20 in.

March 25–September 4, 2022
Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West
Desert Caballeros Western Museum
Wickenburg, AZ

The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is much admired for preserving and exhibiting the art and history of the Southwest and desert frontier. Seventeen years ago, it launched “Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West,” an invitational exhibition and sale that — in the male-dominated field of Western art — turned the spotlight squarely on women’s perspectives.

CU! remains a leading national event for women artists, and its 17th edition will feature more than 60 emerging and established talents, selected from over 300 applicants. Their paintings, drawings, and sculpture are made in a range of techniques, styles, and mediums. These will be available for purchase in person and online, and the proceeds will benefit both the artists and museum.

Much excitement focuses on the show’s opening weekend, when patrons will enjoy a preview party, box draw sale, live auction, awards dinner, quick draw competition, and panel discussion. Ten days later, on April 5, the museum will host the Western Women of Distinction Luncheon—a new event featuring presentation of the first Elizabeth Smith Award.

The museum’s executive director, Dan Finley, explains: “I have thought for a while that Cowgirl Up! should grow its local footprint because its themes of fostering, recognizing, and celebrating Western women extend beyond art and artists. I like the idea of branding Wickenburg a leader in promoting all women of the West. We have established a public nomination process for the award that is easily found on the museum’s website.”

Fine Art Connoisseur looks forward to applauding this annual award’s first winner, and indeed all of the talented women involved in Cowgirl Up!

Western art sculptures of wildlife
Barry Eisenach (b. 1952), “Cat of Many Names,” 2021, bronze (edition of 8), 17 x 7 x 10 in.

March 25–May 8, 2022
Night of Artists
Briscoe Western Art Museum
San Antonio, TX

The Briscoe Western Art Museum will soon host its much-anticipated Night of Artists, a selling exhibition featuring nearly 300 new paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works by more than 75 leading Western artists.

The participants include C. Michael Dudash, Teresa Elliott, Martin Grelle, George Hallmark, Donna Howell-Sickles, Joshua LaRock, Howard Post, Paul Rhymer, Gladys Roldán-de-Moras, Billy Schenck, and Michael Ome Untiedt. Their works encompass landscapes, wildlife, portraiture, and scenes of Native Americans and cowboys.

During the festive opening weekend (March 25–26), the museum will offer a range of events including a collectors summit, preview dinner, awards luncheon, live auction, exhibition opening, and “luck of the draw” sale. Then, from March 27 through May 8, unsold works will be available for the public to view and to purchase at fixed prices. Tickets for the opening events are available now via the museum’s website.

Located along the San Antonio River Walk, the Briscoe Western Art Museum’s main building was constructed in the 1930s as a public library. After an extensive renovation, the museum opened in 2013, and a branch of the public library still operates on the first floor. The institution is named in honor of the late Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe, Jr., and his wife Janey Slaughter Briscoe, who envisioned a museum that would share the story of Western heritage and the remarkable people behind that story.

Western art wildlife paintings
Abigail Gutting (b. 1984), “Survivors,” 2021, oil on linen, 20 x 30 in., estimate $4,000–$6,000 at the March in Montana Auction; Charles M. Russell Museum

*More events from the C.M. Russell Museum include:
November 2021–May 2022
The Sun Dance Series: Hear of the Blackfeet People by Gary Schildt

June–September 2022
Through the Lens of Joseph Henry Sharp

June–September 2022
The Art of Winold F. Reiss

July–August 2022
The Russell Sale Exhibition

October 2022–May 2023
Greetings from Charlie


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